“Professional politician Eric Greitens’ recent appointments to the State Board of Education demonstrate both his desire to please political insiders and his incompetence.

“The appointment of Eddy Justice, a powerful Republican campaign operative, is a prime example of Greitens’ collusion with political insiders to stack the State Board of Education on behalf of big donors. Not surprisingly, Greitens kept this important fact secret in announcing his choice.

“Eddy Justice has made a career in professional politics, not advocating for Missouri’s students. With this appointment, career politicians and Jefferson City insiders win, and Missouri’s children lose.

“Delbert Scott’s statutory ineligibility to serve on the board due to his job as president of a private college is yet another example of how Greitens knows little about state law and cares less. Scott, a well-respected former lawmaker, did the right thing by declining an appointment the governor never should have made.

“Furthermore, the governor appointed Melissa Gelner as an ‘independent’ despite her family’s multiple contributions to Republican politicians, including $500 to Greitens. Gelner’s appointment is a thinly veiled attempt to create a de facto 5-3 Republican majority on the board in violation of the Missouri Constitution.

“Professional politician Eric Greitens should spend less time gallivanting around the country cozying up to big donors and more time learning how to govern. Missouri’s educators and school districts should not have to endure his routine mistakes.”

Rachael Herndon is the managing editor at The Missouri Times, but also produces This Week in Missouri Politics and publishes Missouri Times Magazine. She joined the Missouri Times in 2014, returning to writing after working as a campaign and legislative staffer.
Rachael studied at the University of Missouri - Columbia. She lives in Jefferson City with her husband, Brandon, and their two children.
To contact Rachael, email rachael@themissouritimes.com, or via Twitter @TheRachDunn.